Peach variety named &#39;Vilmos&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new peach variety ( Prunus persica ) designated as ‘Vilmos’ is provided. ‘Vilmos’ forms attractive, high quality fruit that matures during the commercially important ‘Andross’ period, and demonstrates a capacity to maintain good on-tree fruit quality for up to 10 days following initial ripening, allowing delayed harvest and economically efficient single harvests. Further, ‘Vilmos’ fruit exhibits the desirable characteristics of being free from the red staining of the pit area of fruit flesh in addition to having low susceptibility to splitting or cracking of the fruit pit during ripening, while also having other desirable fruit characteristics that are substantially similar to ‘Andross’.

Latin name: Botanical/commercial classification: Prunus persica, new peach cultivar.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed peach variety is ‘Vilmos’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An objective of processing peach breeding programs is to develop new peach varieties that are commercially desirable. In particular, there is a need for the development of new peach varieties that are suitable replacements for the ‘Early’ maturity season varieties ‘Dixon’, ‘Andross’, and ‘Klampt’ (each non-patented in the United States).

Peach variety ‘Dixon’ originated in Linden, Calif., by F. A. Dixon, of the Canners League of California in San Francisco and was introduced in 1956. ‘Dixon’ trees produced very high yields, which made this variety popular for growers. While ‘Dixon’ fruit flesh was a desirable yellow-gold, the pit often exhibited a pink to red color from the formation of red anthocyanins. This red color oxidizes to brown when canned, resulting in an undesirable fruit color as well as an undesirable brown staining of canned syrup. The red stained fruit stone or endocarp is also more prone to breakage, resulting in pit fragments being left with the fruit flesh during processing. As a result of these problems, processors stopped purchasing ‘Dixon’ fruit from growers. Although the ‘Dixon’ variety is no longer commercially planted, no replacement variety presently exists.

Peach variety ‘Andross’ was developed as a source of fruit for processors during the early ‘Early’ maturity season following ‘Dixon’ production. ‘Andross’ originated in Davis, Calif., by L. D. Davis, Department of Pomology, University of California, Davis and was introduced in 1964. ‘Andross’ trees consistently set heavy crops, have leaves with globose glands, and flowers of the larger non-showy type. Although ‘Andross’ is the most heavily planted variety for the ‘Early’ maturity season, this variety also produces fruit with red-staining of the pit and associated higher frequencies of endocarp (stone) fragments remaining in processed flesh. Consequently, processors are no longer encouraging new plantings of this variety, and indicate that they may no longer purchase fruit of this variety in the future.

Furthermore, the ‘Early’ maturity season variety ‘Klampt’ is not a suitable replacement for ‘Andross’. While ‘Klampt’ fruits and pits are free from red staining, ‘Klampt’ develops soft fruit soon after ripening, which results in fruit damage during transport and subsequent processing. Consequently, as with ‘Andross’, processors are no longer encouraging new plantings of ‘Klampt’, and have indicated that they may no longer purchase fruit of this variety in the future. As a result, there is a need to develop new peach varieties having desirable fruit characteristics, particularly peach varieties having good fruit quality, lacking red staining in the pits, and having pits that resist splitting. The new peach variety ‘Vilmos’ as described herein is a product of this breeding effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a new and distinct peach cultivar (Prunus persica) that has been denominated as ‘Vilmos’, and more particularly, to such a peach variety that lacks undesirable red staining of the pit in the peach fruit; exhibits low susceptibility to splitting or cracking of the fruit pit during ripening; forms attractive, high quality fruit that matures approximately with, to just after, that of the ‘Andross’ variety; and demonstrates a capacity to maintain good on-tree fruit firmness and quality for up to 10 days after the initial tree-ripe stage.

‘Vilmos’ fruit ripens during the commercially important ‘Andross’ period. In addition to the desirable ripening period of ‘Vilmos’, this variety produces processing clingstone fruit that remains free from the anthocyanin red pit staining and pit cracking that occurs in ‘Andross’ while also avoiding the softness-induced fruit damage that occurs during transport (as is present in ‘Klampt’). Furthermore, ‘Vilmos’ demonstrates improved resistance to Peach Flower Blight and Peach Fruit Brown Rot (both caused by Monilinia spp.) in lab and field evaluations. The ‘Vilmos’ peach is a nonmelting, clingstone peach that would be mainly grown and sold as a processing fruit, rather than as a fresh market fruit. The most comparable example of this type of processing clingstone peach is the ‘Andross’ clingstone peach variety.

‘Vilmos’ fruit is medium to large in size, slightly angular to round in shape, and has golden-yellow flesh. Following initial ripening, ‘Vilmos’ demonstrates the capacity to maintain good on-tree fruit quality for up to 10 days, thus allowing delayed harvest, including the more economically efficient single harvests. See also Table 2. The skin of ‘Vilmos’ fruit is slightly less fuzzy than that of ‘Andross’ and exhibits a more uniform yellow color. ‘Vilmos’ pits are medium in size and the tree is upright-spreading with similar vigor to that of ‘Andross’. The ‘Vilmos’ crop is similar to that of ‘Andross’ and higher than that of ‘Carson’ (another processing peach variety) under commercial conditions. ‘Vilmos’ production confers higher processer case yields, as shown in Table 1, Table 3, and Table 4, due to having fewer pit fragments and lacking the red pit staining common to ‘Andross’.

Peach variety ‘Vilmos’ was originally identified from a seedling population obtained from a controlled cross of two peach selections. This cross, which involved the UC processing peach variety ‘Loadel’ as the female (seed) parent and the UC processing peach breeding line ‘F10E6-27’ as the male (pollen) parent, the lineages of which are further described in FIG. 2, was made in Year 0. A total of 52 seedlings were recovered from this cross, and these seedlings were subsequently planted in Year 1. The ‘Vilmos’ seedling, which was given an initial individual seedling designation number of ‘91,9-161’, was grown along with many other seedlings in a Peach Seedling Evaluation Block at the University of California at Davis starting in Year 1. Fruit from the original ‘91,9-161’ seedling was first evaluated in Year 4, with continued canned sample evaluations from Years 5 to 25.

The original ‘91,9-161’ (‘Vilmos’) tree was first asexually reproduced via T-budding propagation onto ‘Lovell’ peach rootstock in Year 6 and has been maintained in an advanced selection block at the Wolfskill Experimental Orchards in Winters, Calif. since that time. In Year 11, ‘91,9-161’ was selected based on its good fruit and tree qualities, its freedom from red staining of the pit, and its desirable ‘Andross’ ripening time. In Year 11, ‘91,9-161’ was propagated and placed into regional test plantings at the Wolfskill Experimental Orchards, at the Davis Pomology Field Facilities, and at the Kearney Agricultural Center in Parlier, Calif. All propagated trees of this new variety produced fruit during the Year 14 growing season. All fruit were true-to-type to the original seedling. From Years 15 to 25, additional grower evaluation plots were established for this selection in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys of California under the individual seedling designation of ‘Early #5’. Selection ‘91,9-161’ was chosen as a candidate for release under the variety name ‘Vilmos’.

Field test evaluations through Year 25 have been successful at demonstrating the desirable characteristics of ‘Vilmos’. Tree-ripe fruit of this variety demonstrates the capacity to maintain good quality for over one week on the tree, allowing delayed and economically efficient once-over harvests, rather than the multiple harvests practiced for most current varieties. Furthermore, ‘Vilmos’ has demonstrated improved resistance to Peach Flower Blight and Peach Fruit Brown Rot (both caused by Monilinia spp.) in lab- and field-based evaluations. No serious disease or pest damage from other sources has been observed during the evaluation period when standard commercial practices are followed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates flowers of ‘Vilmos’, including open, non-showy type flowers and closed flower buds.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lineage of ‘Vilmos’, with progeny displayed above their respective parents.

FIG. 3 illustrates (top) whole ripe ‘Vilmos’ peaches with a typical mature leaf, and (bottom) halves of ‘Vilmos’ peaches following cutting in a standard commercial torque pitter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a ‘Vilmos’ tree in a production plot bearing fruit.

FIG. 5 illustrates flower blight resistance rating results from controlled lab testing on 14 peach varieties, including ‘Vilmos’, standard processing peach cultivars, and advanced breeding lines. Closed blossoms were collected in the field, allowed to open under controlled laboratory conditions, and inoculated with conidia of Monilinia fructicola at 20 K/mL. Blossoms were evaluated for stamen infections after 5-6 days of incubation at 20° C.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed horticultural description of the new peach cultivar ‘Vilmos’ obtained from vegetatively-propagated trees observed during the Year 20 through Year 25 growing seasons. The trees were planted in Year 11 and grown at the Wolfskill Experimental Orchards of the University of California located at Winters, Calif. Color designations are presented with reference to the “Dictionary of Color” by Maerz and Paul, First Edition (1930). Trees described in this section were 14 to 15 years old (13^(th) to 14^(th) leaf or years after field planting).

-   Botanical classification: Prunus persica, cv. ‘Vilmos’. -   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium.         -   Growth.—Upright-spreading.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy under typical Sacramento Valley climatic             conditions.         -   Production.—Productive.         -   Bearing.—Regular bearer. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. The diameter of the trunk 10 cm above             the ground is approximately 22-25 cm in 14-year-old trees.             The scaffold diameters at the base of the scaffolds are             approximately 15 cm. An image of a 6-year-old ‘Vilmos’ tree             under commercial production (Table 3) is presented in FIG.             4.         -   Texture.—Relatively coarse, with substantial scarfskin.         -   Color.—Bark color ranges from light-grey (14-A-2) to dark             grey (7-C-7).         -   Lenticels.—Numerous, medium, flattened, and generally             oval-shaped. Typically the lenticels range from             approximately 4-6 mm wide, are at right angles to the trunk,             and are approximately 1-2 mm tall. The color of the lenticel             surface is light brown (13-J-9). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Texture.—Medium.         -   Color.—Mature shoots are light grey (14-A-2) to medium brown             (7-C-8). The current season's shoots are pale light green             (20-L-6). The exposed surfaces are commonly tinged rose-red             (17-H-3). The color of the new expanding shoot tips is             bright yellow green (20-L-6).         -   Lenticels.—At a right angle to the shoots, and light in             coloration.         -   Internode length.—On current season's hanger shoots, the             length between nodes is commonly approximately 20-30 mm. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Typical length from vigorous current             season's growth is approximately 16-19 cm (including the             petiole) and typical width is approximately 4-5 cm.         -   Thickness.—Average.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate and often with slight curves downward.         -   Aspect.—The blade commonly ranges from substantially flat to             somewhat folded upwards.         -   Color.—The upper surface is dark green (23-L-4), and the             lower surface is a much lighter grey-green (21-J-6). The             primary vein and mid-vein on the under surface is pale             yellow-green (17-H-1).         -   Margin.—Crenate and occasionally double crenate. The             crenations are relatively large and uniform. The leaf             margins commonly range from straight to moderately undulate.         -   Petiole.—Generally medium in size, commonly approximately 8             to 16 mm in length, approximately 2 mm in thickness, and             pale yellow-green in coloration (17-J-4).         -   Glands.—Small to medium in size, almost always globose, and             alternate. There are commonly 1-3 glands on a petiole, and             frequently 0-3 additional glands can be observed at the base             of the leaf blade. The coloration is shiny light             green-yellow (17-K-6), occasionally developing a reddish             tinge with age.         -   Stipules.—Linear lanceolate in configuration. Most stipules             are early deciduous, their margins are serrate, and they are             commonly approximately 6-9 mm long. The color of young             stipules is commonly light green-yellow (17-K-5), with             darkening to brownish upon aging. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Full commercial maturity.         -   Picking.—In Year 23 (a typical year), fruit was first picked             on July 19 and last picked on July 31.         -   Season of maturity.—Approximately with, to just after, the             ‘Andross’ variety.         -   Size.—Uniform and large. The average axial diameter of             highly thinned fruit is approximately 60 cm, the average             suture diameter is approximately 70 cm, and the average             cheek diameter is approximately 68 cm. See also Table 1.             Images of ‘Vilmos’ fruit are also presented in FIG. 3.         -   Form.—In lateral aspect, the fruit is slightly oblate in             form. In apical aspect, the fruit is nearly globose, with             slight variability. Most frequently, the fruit is slightly             asymmetrical.         -   Suture.—Inconspicuous line, often slightly deeper at the             base, with a slight depression at the pistil.         -   Ventral surface.—Relatively smooth, and only occasionally             lipped.         -   Base.—Rounded to slightly truncate in form. The angle of the             base is slightly variable, but most often it is at a right             angle to the fruit axes.         -   Stem cavity.—Broad, and moderately deep. The average length             is approximately 3 cm, the average width is approximately 2             cm, and the average depth is approximately 1.5-2 cm.         -   Apex.—Generally rounded, with a slight tip.         -   Pistil point.—Most frequently it is oblique.         -   Stem length.—Medium in length, averaging approximately 8 mm.         -   Stem thickness.—Commonly approximately 3 mm, and usually             more thickened at the distal end.         -   Skin pubescence.—Pubescent with a fine, short, matted             pubescence. No observed tendency to crack.         -   Skin color.—The primary ground color is a uniform             orange-yellow (9-L-3). The fruit surface has a moderate             amount of red blush coloration present on 20-50% of the             total surface. Fruits exposed to direct sunlight are usually             in the highest percent category. The blush pattern is             primarily washed, with some mottling present. The blush             color ranges from a dark garnet red (7-H-4) to a lighter             shade of red (6-K-7), with a range of variation in between.         -   Flesh color.—A uniform yellow from skin to stone cavity             (10-L-3).         -   Flesh texture.—Fine and non-melting.         -   Flesh fibers.—Few in number; short and fine.         -   Ripening.—Ripens evenly.         -   Flavor.—Fruit develops excellent quality, rich in flavor and             well-balanced. Flavor was rated as superior to that of             ‘Andross’ in taste trials.         -   Aroma.—Moderate, pleasant.         -   Eating quality.—Good.         -   Canning quality.—Very good.         -   Stone type.—Clingstone, with flesh connected over the entire             stone surface.         -   Stone size.—Medium to slightly below average. The average             length is approximately 35 mm, the average width is             approximately 28 mm, and the average thickness is             approximately 22 mm.         -   Stone form.—Fine fibers are present, being numerous, very             short, and attached laterally to the stone.         -   Form.—Variable, but most often slightly obovate.         -   Stone base.—Typically positioned at right angles to, or             slightly oblique to, the stone axis.         -   Stone hilum.—Medium to small in size, and well-defined. The             hilum is surrounded by a raised collar.         -   Apex.—Apex form is generally rounded with a medium, blunt             tip.         -   Stone side.—Variable, but typically longer on ventral side.         -   Stone surface.—Moderately coarse, with the heaviest grooving             apically over the lateral apical shoulders. Several deep             grooves are present near the dorsal and ventral edge,             meeting the edge at an oblique angle.         -   Ventral edge.—Medium in width, with several low wings.         -   Dorsal edge.—Somewhat variable in form, but most often the             dorsal suture is moderately thick, with a deep groove             present from the base up to the apical shoulder. The apical             shoulder area is somewhat eroded and somewhat concave in             shape. The dorsal groove is bordered by two high ridges.         -   Stone color.—When dry, light clay-brown (13-C-8).         -   Tendency to split.—Low. -   Flowers:     -   -   Chilling season.—Low to medium for growing location. Good             commercial crops were achieved with chilling hours below 45°             F., and accumulated between Nov. 1 and Jan. 26, ranging from             500 to 900 hours for the Years 20-25 evaluation period.         -   Buds.—Medium size, conic in form, plump, free slight             (4-8 mm) stem, with moderate pubescent surfaces with light             grey colorations. The color of the exterior bud scale ranges             from grey (8-J-6) to mocha-brown (15-J-5). The buds are             hardy under typical climatic conditions of the Sacramento             Valley. There are usually one or, more frequently, two             floral buds per node.         -   Bloom timing.—Mid-season in relation to other commercial             cling peach cultivars. Bloom periods were approximately             similar to ‘Andross’ during the evaluation period.         -   Size.—As shown in FIG. 1, the flower is non-showy, and             medium in size. The fully expanded flower diameter is             approximately 22-30 mm.         -   Bloom quality.—Commonly abundant throughout the tree.         -   Petals.—Medium; commonly approximately 12-16 mm long and             approximately 10-16 mm wide. The petal number is five. Petal             form varies from broadly ovate to nearly oval. Petal color             is very light pink (1-D-1). The petal claw is medium and             truncate in form. Claw color is a dark pink (2-I-5). Petal             margins are moderately undulate, and the petals are             substantially cupped inward. The petal apices are usually             rounded, with no tip.         -   Flower pedicel.—Medium; commonly 4-8 mm in length with an             average thickness of approximately 2 mm. Pedicel color is a             light green (17-K-6). Pedicel surface is glabrous.         -   Nectaries.—Moderately bright orange (9-C-12) at maturity.         -   Anthers.—Average in size. Anther color is almost white             (14-L-1) at dehiscence to maroon (4-K-7) by petal fall.         -   Pollen.—Abundant. Pollen color is a bright yellow-gold             (10-L-7).         -   Stamens.—Medium length and slightly longer than the pistil             at full maturity. Filament color is nearly white (1-B-1)             when the flower first opens, darkening to a dull light             violet (4-H-3) with senescence.         -   Calyx.—Glabrous and quite rugose, and the coloration is             light maroon (7-L-9) at maturity.         -   Sepals.—Greyish pubescent, average in size, conic in form,             and red-brown (7-H-11 to 6-J-5) in color.         -   Pistil.—Pubescent basally over the ovary, being less so near             the stigma and over the upper style area. Pistils are             commonly approximately 12-18 mm in length, including the             ovary. The coloration is pale green (17-J-3) basally, and a             paler green (17-E-2) over the upper style area. -   Major use: Canning. -   Keeping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects and diseases: Low to medium susceptibility to     Monilinia fruit brown rot and flower blight, otherwise average. See     also FIG. 5 and Table 5.

COMPARISONS TO OTHER PEACH VARIETIES

The tables below provide quantitative analyses of various phenotypic attributes of ‘Vilmos’ and other varieties. Phenotypes analyzed include e.g. fruit quality data, yield reports, and resistance ratings to fruit brown-rot (Monilinia fructicola).

Table 1 below shows fruit quality data averaged over the 3 years of the RosBreed-1 evaluations for ‘Vilmos’ and standard commercial cultivars in the ‘Extra-Early’ and ‘Early’ harvest seasons. Flowers were heavily thinned to 18-24 inches between developing fruit in order to maximize potential fruit size and quality.

TABLE 1 Red Fruit stain in Fruit Fruit cheek Fruit Flesh pit Pit CIELAB width length width weight firmness Selection cavity fragments Blush color-a* Harvest pH Brix Brix/TA TA (mm) (mm) (mm) (g) (lbs.) Loadel No No Very Light 5.65 16-Jul 3.85 8.00 16.81 0.48 671.38 684.94 643.38 183.74 8.3 Carson No No Very Light 4.97 23-Jul 4.04 7.50 17.05 0.44 583.69 548.64 580.25 219.48 8.2 Dee-Six No No Very Light 8.07 29-Jul 4.14 10.00 22.32 0.45 651.75 669.41 617.09 226.82 7.3 Kader No No Moderate 6.98 29-Jul 3.98 12.50 25.67 0.49 723.77 657.67 659.26 332.74 7.2 Dixon Yes Yes Moderate 6.07 29-Jul 4.06 12.30 30.22 0.41 769.97 763.35 719.71 226.42 5.6 Goodwin Yes Yes Light 9.07  3-Aug 3.85 12.70 22.56 0.56 728.08 706.53 720.79 236.20 9.4 Andross Yes Yes Light 6.87 10-Aug 4.09 12.40 30.54 0.41 788.19 784.22 674.54 332.22 6.5 Vilmos No No Light 11.99 11-Aug 3.77 11.50 20.80 0.55 709.42 583.21 669.15 235.68 7.2 Klampt No No Very Light 5.43 12-Aug 3.87 10.70 21.57 0.50 830.48 874.03 704.69 353.12 5.9 Ross No No Moderate 5.27 13-Aug 3.82 10.80 22.45 0.48 719.72 707.10 645.08 236.02 9.2 Dr. Davis No No Light 7.17 19-Aug 3.85 11.80 22.35 0.53 743.07 740.33 729.54 320.00 8.2

Table 2 below shows average fruit firmness for ‘Andross’, ‘Vilmos’, and ‘Klampt’ processing peaches when harvested at the tree ripe stage, and again at 2 and 4 weeks after the initial tree ripe date. Data are from Year 25 trees grown under standard commercial conditions.

TABLE 2 Fruit Firmness in pounds {Standard Deviation} Ripe Date 2 weeks after 4 weeks after (Year 25) Tree-Ripe Tree-ripe Tree-ripe ‘Andross’ 15-Jul 5.8 {1.5} 2.4 {1.3} <1.0 ‘Vilmos’ 16-Jul 6.4 {1.2} 5.4 {1.8} 4.5 {2.6} ‘Klampt’ 18-Jul 6.3 {1.8} <1.0 <1.0

Table 3 below shows comparative yields for ‘Vilmos’ and ‘Andross’ processing peaches grown under standard commercial conditions in the Live Oak, Calif. grower evaluation trial during Years 20-25. Yields are for commercially acceptable fruit after removal of undersized and damaged fruit at grading station.

TABLE 3 Year ‘Vilmos’ (lbs.) ‘Andross’ (lbs.) 20 63700 118140 21 122500 114840 22 112700 116160 23 117600 120780 24 130340 123420 25 134260 126720

Table 4 below shows comparative yields for ‘Vilmos’ and ‘Andross’ processing peaches grown under standard commercial conditions in the Year 25 Linden, Calif. grower evaluation trials. ‘Andross’ trees were thinned to standard commercial practices, while one block of ‘Vilmos’ was thinned to standard commercial practices (800-1000 fruit/tree) and a second block of ‘Vilmos’ was lightly thinned (1200-1400 fruit/tree), demonstrating the ability of ‘Vilmos’ to effectively size fruit, even if over-cropped. Yields are for commercially acceptable fruit after removal of undersized and damaged fruit at grading station.

TABLE 4 Yield Treatment (Tons/Acre) ‘Andross’: Standard thin 17.2 ‘Vilmos’: Standard thin 17.5 ‘Vilmos’: Light thin 20.4

Table 5 below shows fruit brown-rot (Monilinia fructicola) resistance ratings from controlled lab testing on various peach varieties. Severity rating is the product of lesion incidence by average lesion diameter 48 hours after controlled inoculation. Data shown are averages of results from Years 19, 20, and 21.

TABLE 5 Average Brown-Rot Standard Selection Severity Deviation ‘Carson’ 13.19 6.10 ‘Kader’ 3.11 2.89 ‘Vilmos’ 6.39 6.19 ‘Goodwin’ 5.83 4.98 ‘Ross’ 21.28 7.01 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree designated ‘Vilmos’ as shown and described herein. 